A communications equipment mounting system includes an equipment frame bay having first and second vertically oriented members in opposing spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of support shelves disposed within the equipment frame bay. Each support shelf is secured to the first and second members by respective first and second mounting brackets, and each support shelf is configured to support communications equipment thereon. The first bracket has a first width that is substantially less than a width of the second bracket. The second bracket is configured to support communications equipment attached thereto and thereby utilize otherwise unused space within the equipment frame bay.